Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-09-09

was about to set out for home, however,
for it was late and my house was at some
distance; but they insisted that should
stay. 1t would be foolish to expose my
self to such tempest, when I was not
feeling well; the mother begged me with
such good grace that felt forced to re-
main and pass the night in that hospitable
house. They tremendously conducted
me to my room, and there wished me
good night. 1 remember even that Lizzie
having fallen asleep in her fathers arms,
l kissed her little cheek, paled by sleep,
and her dimpled little arms
Left alone, began to undress slowly
and wandering about the room, as one
always does when one sleeps in strange
place. felt as if should smother in the
close atmosphere of the room. Before
getting in bed wanted to inhale little
of the outside air, and in spite of the roar
ing storm tried to open the window. It
was false window.
"Wen, WE'LL" exclaimed, little sur
prised.
l thought would remove the chimney
screen; it was false chimney. rushed
to the door-it was locked! Fear seized
me, and, holding my breath, I listened.
The house was quiet, all seemed to be
asleep. Then 1 inspected the room care
fully, straining my ears for the least
sound. On the floor, near the bed, 1
noticed spots; it was blood-dried and
blackened bloodl I shuddered and cold
sweat stood out on my forehead. Blood!
Why should there be blood there? And /
saw that whole sea of blood must have
been split therefor great space around
the hard wooden floor had been freshly
scrubbed and scraped. All at once I cried
out. Under the bed I had seen man,
stretched out, motionless as an overturned
statue. could not cry or call out With
trembling hands touched the man. He
did not move. With trembling hands l
pushed the man. He did not move. With
trembling hands seized the man by the
feet and drew him fofth-he was dead!
His neck had been Clearly cut, as with
one stroke Of razor, and the head held to
the trunk only by a slender ligament.
I thought should go mad. But some
thing must be done-the assassin might
come at any moment. I raised the body
to place it ON the bed. l made false
step and the ivid head turned over,
swung to and fro for a moment like
hideous pendulum, and then, detached
from the trunk, fell on the floor with
dull sound. With great difficulty intro
duced the decapitated trunk between the
sheets, picked up the head and placed it
on the pillow like that of q sleeping man,
and, having blown out the candle,
slipped under the bed. did all this me-
chanically, without thought of defense or
safety; it was instinct that prompted me,
not intelligence or reflection.
My teeth chartered. My hands were
wet with thick moisture. / felt as if I
had gone to bed in charnel house.
I remained there in that awful fear
minutes, hours, months, years, centuries
do not know how long. lost all idea
of time and place. All was silent. From
without the noise of the storm and the
whistling of the wind came to me softened
and sad, like means. could not picture
to myself the assassin who was coming
who was there perhaps. In that state of
horror could see only little Lizzie, fair,
rosy and frank, with her doll and her great
hat; could see her sleeping in her fathers
arms; now and then she lightly raised her
eyelids and disclosed her eyes, which
seemed to me to be bold, implacable,
cruel, murderous.
The door opened, but as softly as the
scratching of a mouse. I bit my lips till
the blood came to keep from crying out.
Now man stepped in with gliding tread,
with infinite precautions to avoid touching
the furniture. 1t seemed to me as if
could see the cruel, clutching fingers Gid
ing over my clothes, searching my pockets.
Then the steps came nearer, seemed to
Craze me. felt that the man was bend
ing over the bed, that he struck one fierce
blow. Then I knew nothing more.
When I recovered consciousness the
room had become silent again. But fright
held me nailed to the spot. At length I
decided to escape, with what caution you
may imagine. On tiptoe gained the door,
which had not been closed. Not sound,
not a breath. Feeling my way, passed
into the hall. waited to see head thrust
suddenly from out the shadows, knife
CLEAN in the dark. But no-the brute,
glutted with crime, slept without remorse.
I descended the stairs, drew the bolt of the
door, and, half fainting, with the blood
frozen in my veins, I fell into the gutter
of the deserted street.
Dr. Bertram had listened to my recital
with the deepest interest.
''And there I found you, Mr.. Furniss,
and in what state! Could you recognize
the house?n
eyes," 1 replied; ''but to what end?''
''Well, let me cure you, and then we
shall go together to the house of these as
sassins.'
Eight days later the doctor and stood
in Lower Abbey street. I recognized the
terrible house. All the blinds were
drawn; in front of the door placard was
placed, bearing the legend: "To Let"
inquired of the former residents from
a neighbor.
''They have been gone month and
more" she replied. "It's great pity,
for they were very nice people. Trans
lated for The Argonaut from the French
of Octave Mirbeau.